An Interview with William Bundy
William Bundy is a writer and filmmaker with an expanding portfolio of short stories and screenplays. He has directed short films and intends to publish short stories and several novels, as well as produce feature films.
You can find my website at williambundy.com and my film work at redsaidfilms.com.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I had started writing the book during a year-long writing challenge on Patreon. The objective was to interest subscribers on that platform through social media outreach and post a chapter each month.
The idea was to create a kind of expansive universe – not unlike an MMORPG, for all you gamers out there – that would exist in a shared dreaming universe as part of an interstellar voyage.
The basic concept was that the human beings involved in this journey would be in a kind of stasis but could still dream, with the notion that on the journey, they could live in a universe as vast and expansive as possible via shared lucid dreaming, which I’ve always been fascinated by.
I loved the idea of it, and the rest seemed to come quite organically; the idea of a lone hero who is free to roam as he chooses and become involved in any number of adventures during his time in this realm, where anything is possible.
From there, the premise expanded into the notion of a continuous storyline without end, if you will, much like an open-world game that would just keep on going, hopefully with Patron support, and allowing for a series of books to be created.
Patreon support was not forthcoming, however, despite my best efforts, and I’ve since changed this idea, being content with three books in the series now – another trilogy! – with the idea of there being a defined arc and the possibility of other tales that could emerge as podcasts on YouTube or Spotify.
For now, though, the second book is slowly taking shape and promises to be an adventure in the making.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
It came relatively quickly. I usually just go with my gut and see what comes up and what feels right, really.
Describe your dream book cover.
Two spaceships, mid-chase with a cool cross-section of each, and a planet behind them.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
Rage Against the Machine – Wake Up, U2 – Race Against Time, CamelPhat – For a Feeling, John Debney – Main Title: Morgan’s Ride, The Midnight – Love Is an Ocean.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I’m currently reading Courting the Wild Twin by Martin Shaw, a very distinctive book which delves into myths and psyche in ways I had not considered before. The Picture of Dorian Grey is also a fascinating classic I’m getting to know, which explores duality in its own way. I’m also re-reading The Lord of the Rings – I admire Tolkien’s world-building tremendously – and have many others to finish too!
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I’ve worked as a freelance writer before, but my main passion in life has always been filmmaking. I’m making steady progress in that direction, having made short films and written screenplays. I have several independent features planned for the future, but I also find something joyous and expansive in the written word, which complements film in ways that the other cannot match; both working in tandem to create beautiful explorations into our imaginative universe. You can find my film work at redsaidfilms.com.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I can’t say anyone or anything in particular, and I can’t claim to be a savant in terms of literature like many people I admire and respect are. Authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, Roald Dahl, Bram Stoker, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alan Dean Foster, and George Orwell have been huge inspirations to me over the years, as well as the works of Michael Crichton and Katherine Applegate. She wrote the Animorphs series, which seems to have been forgotten about now, but I was a huge fan of it and still am.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I usually write at home, but I have enjoyed coffee shops and the garden shed before!
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
It’s going to take much longer than you think, and keep your expectations in check – enjoy the ride while you can!
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
That they went on an adventure and enjoyed some time away from reality.
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